Nemours, Sesame Workshop Debut “Healthy Habits for Life” Resource Kit

October 10, 2007

Nemours Health and Prevention Services, KidsHealth, and Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind “Sesame Street,” have unveiled the “Healthy Habits for Life” physical activity and nutrition resource kit for caregivers of 3- to 5-year-olds in the child care setting. “Healthy Habits for Life” contains a 100-page guide featuring lesson plans, activities and handouts, recipes and take-home materials for parents; “Get Healthy Now Show” — an original “Sesame Street” DVD; and a companion storybook featuring “Sesame Street” characters. Many components of the print guide, offered in both English and Spanish, are now available on the Nemours Health and Prevention web site, www.GrowUpHealthy.org, and Sesame Workshop’s website, www.sesameworkshop.org/healthyhabits.

Instilling healthy practices in children at an early age is one way to combat the alarming rates of childhood obesity in the U.S. Early care and education providers have a unique opportunity to encourage and model healthy habits in their programs. Jeanette Betancourt, EdD, Vice President for Outreach and Educational Practices, Sesame Workshop, said, “Fortunately, a window of opportunity exists during the early years when health practices can be positively shaped by social environments. Research shows that young children’s eating habits and food preferences are generally shaped very early on. During these early years, children can learn to like a variety of wholesome foods and develop healthy practices through repeated exposure, engaging in positive dietary practices, and having positive role models.”

Debbie I. Chang, MPH, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Nemours Health and Prevention Services, added, “This exciting partnership between Nemours and Sesame Workshop addresses a critical need. Together, we have developed this resource kit to support child care communities as they help children establish a foundation of healthy habits. The partnership is promoting healthy eating, physical activity, and social and emotional well-being. This is a very unique research-based resource for preschool educators.”

About Nemours Health and Prevention Services:

Nemours Health and Prevention Services, a non-profit organization based in Newark, Delaware, works with families and communities to help children grow up healthy. Its goal is to develop programs, contribute knowledge and impact policies that will build the capacity for child health promotion in Delaware and eventually have value for children nationally. NHPS sees its role as one of catalyst, “planting the seeds for better health” by working with community partners to reach children in a variety of settings. One of its initial areas of emphasis is childhood obesity prevention through promotion of healthy lifestyles. Learn more at www.GrowUpHealthy.org.

About Sesame Workshop:

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that changed television forever with the legendary “Sesame Street.” As the single largest informal educator of young children, local “Sesame Street” programs produced in countries as diverse as South Africa, Bangladesh and India are making a difference in over 120 nations. Using proprietary research to create engaging and enriching content, Sesame Workshop produces programs such as “Dragon Tales” and “Pinky Dinky Doo.” In addition, multimedia needs-driven initiatives provide families tools for addressing such issues as children’s health, military deployment and emergency preparedness. As a nonprofit, product proceeds and philanthropic support endow Sesame Workshop’s educational research and creative content for children around the world. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.